Week 8 Results
Results
Men’s 1st Team
UEA STRIKE LATE ON TO SECURE A HARD-EARNED VICTORY AGAINST A BRAVE NEWMARKET SIDE
UEA came from behind to record a 3-2 victory to cancel out a Simon Donald brace.
It was top of the league, who predictably started the game in determined fashion, and it was them who looked the more likely to score as Iain Robinson saved twice from close range with another effort dragged wide from around five yards out.
Although the hosts were enjoying plenty of possession, with Robinson called into action several times in the first half, they were unable to break a solid away side who executed their ‘half court press’ tactics excellently, marshalled by a back line of Wilson, Newnes, Harrington and Jenkins, limiting their opponents to just a few meaningful shots.
The visitors were almost the first to draw blood, as Alex Andreou tried his luck from a tight angle, with a rasping, powerful strike that forced an important save.
Newmarket had been competent defensively and posed the occasional threat, which was the story for the opening 35 minutes, and enough to merit their first half efforts.
UEA looked frustrated after the break as they struggled to find the back of the net. Shortly into the second half, Ollie Wade was guilty of a glaring miss as he swept a shot against the post from eight yards out. But they eventually capitalised through Simon Donald, who spurned a glorious chance the previous week when being one on one with keeper, to give Newmarket the lead. His goal came after Darren Jenkins initiated a lightening counter attack, as he found Donald in the middle of the park, who again beat two players to go one of one with the keeper and slot just between the keepers’ legs.1-0.
The hosts soon levelled however, shortly after both Jordan Newnes was given a green card for a mis-timed challenge, and Alex Andreou for deliberately breaking down play, leaving Newmarket with only 9 men as both players served a two-minute suspension. UEA used this to their advantage, as they found an unmarked forward at the centre spot who calmly put the ball into the back of the net. 1-1.
Continuing to work hard and pounce at every opportunity, it was Newmarket that went ahead again, this time through a short corner as a fumbled straight strike was picked up by Donald who doubled his tally as he slammed the ball against the back board. 2-1. UEA quickly clawed their way back into the match however, also through a short corner, as the ball was slapped from outside the D, apparently taking the slightest of touches inside the D, and levelling the scores once more as the ball crept in at the far post. 2-2.
UEA looked like they were heading for their first draw of the season, but Newmarket were very unlucky to be reduced to 9 men again as Wilson saw yellow, and Ollie Wade green, opening the field once more for the home side, who were now overloading the final third, scoring a late winner from close range. 3-2.
Skelton was unfortunate to squander a golden chance late on, as he was set up by Andreou with an inch perfect cross, but his brilliant deflection hit the inside of post and the rebound was cleared by a defender to end the game.
It was a shaky result for table toppers UEA, and Newmarket left the pitch with their heads held high as they worked incredibly hard, playing large parts of the game with just 9 men on the pitch, and they probably deserved more from the game.
Ladies’ 3rd Team
In another week which saw unavailability hitting the lady sides, Newmarket ladies third side managed to scramble an 11th man at the 11th hour, with one of the team unavailable. 4 of the 11 man squad had already played a game prior to this too. The game was mostly uneventful for the first half as Newmarket defended well and Wisbech put in a strong attack in the midfield. With the score 0-0 at half-time, town started the second half with a couple of changes.
The second half started consistent with the first half, and it was only in the latter part of the second-half that finally some action took place. Faye Andreou stepped up through midfield to play the ball into the D to find char Abbersteen and break the stalemate, slotting in the first for Newmarket. Shortly after that similar play saw Vicky Benedikz initiate an attack to find char Abbersteen again for her second of the day.
Final score two nil win to Newmarket making this is the ladies fifth win out of seven games. Some very strong performances during the game in a squad that really plays well together and knows how to play to their own strengths.
Squad: Mel Podd (captain) Sarah Ganiford, Jane Dryland, Janie Harrington, Bea jones, Charlotte Abbersteen, Vicky Benedikz, Dev Kennedy, Faye Andreou, Jess Boyle, Megan Pithers.
Man of the match was Faye Andreou
Teddy awarded to Janie Harrington for a fall over.
Next week sees the ladies take on city 6s away.
